Mexico draws 2–2 with South Korea in Nashville. Raúl Jiménez scores early, Son and Oh respond, then Santiago Giménez rescues a point deep in stoppage time.
Mexico vs South Korea: Headline in Brief
Mexico and South Korea battled to a dramatic 2–2 friendly draw at GEODIS Park in Nashville, where goals from Raúl Jiménez, Son Heung-min, Oh Hyun-gyu, and a last-gasp equalizer by Santiago Giménez delivered a thriller in preparation for the 2026 World Cup.
Why This Match Was More Than Just a Friendly
While listed as an international friendly, this match carried weight for both nations:
- Mexico (La Tri), under Javier “Vasco” Aguirre, used it to sharpen finishing and test combinations ahead of looming competitive fixtures.
- South Korea, with World Cup qualification already secured in Asia, sought match sharpness and depth trials.
Crucially, it offered a high-tempo international test at American soil—a scenario both squads will encounter during the 2026 World Cup. The match’s stakes were amplified by near misses and a heart-stopping late equalizer.
Match Timeline & Major Moments
- 22’ – Mexico 1–0: Raúl Jiménez heads the opener off a Rodrigo Huescas cross, diving into the top corner. A textbook move that gave La Tri early momentum.
- 65’ – 1–1: Son Heung-min responds with a fierce left-footed strike from inside the area after recovered possession. The star forward finished clinically to level the match.
- 75’ – 1–2: Oh Hyun-gyu fires a powerful angled shot past the defense into the net. The South Korean forward’s individual quality shifts the lead.
- 93’ – 2–2: Deep into stoppage time, Santiago Giménez flicks a composed shot into the far post from close range off a Jorge Sánchez assist—an equalizer that rescued a point.
Full Narrative — Flow & Tactical Notes
From kickoff, Mexico adopted a fluid 4-3-3 formation focusing on width and midfield rotation (confirmed by ESPN lineups). Jiménez’s early goal energized La Tri, who looked to exploit South Korea’s defensive hesitation.
South Korea, disciplined in a 5-4-1 structure, absorbed pressure and struck back via Son’s precision. Oh then exploited space on the counter to pull ahead. Mexico responded with urgency, bringing on fresh legs and pressing high. Giménez’s last-minute goal epitomized that resilience—eliciting wild celebration from fans and arena-wide relief.
The game in photos. 📸
These are #LasPostales from the match 🆚 South Korea. ⚽️#PorMéxicoTodo 🇲🇽 pic.twitter.com/uT7fK6a4b4
— Mexican National Team (@miseleccionmxEN) September 10, 2025
Player Performances – Who Delivered and Who Dipped
Mexico:
- Raúl Jiménez: Strong aerial presence—snatched the opener with authority.
- Santiago Giménez: A super sub moment—cool finish under pressure.
- Rodrigo Huescas & Jorge Sánchez: Key crafters—Huescas assisted Jiménez early; Sánchez helped create the final equalizer.
- Defense & GK: Faced bursts from Son and Oh; occasional shaky moments but rebuilt focus late.
South Korea:
- Son Heung-min: Class and execution—hit the equalizer with poise.
- Oh Hyun-gyu: Opportunist—took his chance to put Korea ahead.
- Team discipline: Finished strong, nearly held the win until Giménez’s intervention.
[Note: Images are collected from Instagram]
Match Statistics at a Glance
(Source: ESPN / Fox Sports Box Score)
- Final score: Mexico 2–2 South Korea.
- Possession: Mexico ~54%; South Korea ~46%.
- Shots: Mexico had twice as many shot attempts; both sides had several quality openings.
- Lineups/Formations: Mexico set with 4-3-3; South Korea in a conservative 5-4-1.
- H2H context: Mexico historically leads head-to-head (Mexico won 3 of last 4, per AiScore).
Broader Implications & Looking Ahead
Mexico’s outlook:
- The late equalizer showcases fight, but the match highlighted defensive frailties.
- Aguirre must refine late-game focus and transition control.
- Next test: October qualifier against Colombia—high stakes ahead of 2026.
South Korea’s takeaways:
- Positive offensive output and cohesion post-qualification.
- Giménez’s late goal is a warning — defensive lapses remain.
- Squad depth tested, but experience gained is invaluable ahead of the global tournament.
Broadcast & Viewing Info
Fans in the U.S. could watch via TUDN, while international viewers accessed streams via VAVEL, ESPN, and regional networks. Stadium coverage included real-time commentary, social clips of the dramatic finale, and expert insights.